Maud had a set of Miss Alcott's books, and Peter a modest silver
watch, Cornelius a tool-chest, Clement a dog-house for his "lame
puppy," Larry a magnificent Noah's ark, and each of the little
girls a beautiful doll. You can well believe that everybody was
very merry and very thankful. All the family, from Mr. Bird down
to the cook, said they had never seen so much happiness in the
space of three hours; but it had to end, as all things do. The
candles flickered and went out, the tree was left alone with its
gilded ornaments, and Mrs. Bird sent the children down stairs at
half-past eight, thinking that Carol looked tired.

"Now, my darling, you have done quite enough for one day," said
Mrs. Bird, getting Carol into her little night-dress; "I am
afraid you will feel worse to-morrow, and that would be a sad
ending to such a good time."

"Oh, wasn't it a lovely, lovely time," sighed Carol. "From first
to last, everything was just right. I shall never forget Larry's
face when he looked at the turkey; nor Peter's, when he saw his
watch; nor that sweet, sweet Kitty's smile when she kissed her
dolly; nor the tears in poor, dull Sarah Maud's eyes when she
thanked me for her books; nor--"

"But we mustn't talk any longer about it to-night," said Mrs.
Bird, anxiously; "you are too tired, dear."

"I am not so very tired, Mama. I have felt well all day; not a
bit of pain anywhere. Perhaps this has done me good."

"Perhaps; I hope so. There was no noise or confusion; it was